U.S. patent number 10,443,644 [Application Number 15/785,735] was granted by the patent office on 2019-10-15 for anchor sealing hygienic bracket.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SYNTIRO DYNAMICS LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is John Hennon. Invention is credited to John Hennon.
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United States Patent |
10,443,644 |
Hennon |
October 15, 2019 |
Anchor sealing hygienic bracket
Abstract
A hygienically sealable anchor bracket for installation of block
style tube and pipe hangers to a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment
frame, or other paneled strata in which there may be no access to
the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor bracket
to an attachment fastener or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield
the exposed fastener or toggle bolt structure from the environment
of the clean room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to
protect the irregular surface of the fastener or toggle bolt from
caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt and
bacteria, the anchor bracket having a pedestal in communication
with the cavity which encapsulates the exposed portion of the
toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket thereto, the anchor
bracket having a plurality of receptacles for receipt of fasteners
utilized in assembling block style tube and pipe hangers, thus
securing the block style tube and pipe hanger and anchor bracket to
the ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled
strata.
Inventors: |
Hennon; John (Wall, NJ) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hennon; John |
Wall |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYNTIRO DYNAMICS LLC (Wall,
NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
61071439 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/785,735 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180038518 A1 |
Feb 8, 2018 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
14998664 |
Jan 29, 2016 |
9822907 |
|
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62176041 |
Feb 9, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
3/1083 (20130101); F16L 3/1091 (20130101); F16M
13/027 (20130101); F16M 13/02 (20130101); F16B
33/004 (20130101); F16L 3/11 (20130101); F16L
3/223 (20130101); F16B 23/0084 (20130101); F16B
43/001 (20130101); F16L 3/133 (20130101); F16B
13/061 (20130101); F16B 13/04 (20130101); F16L
3/221 (20130101); F16B 37/145 (20130101); F16L
3/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
33/00 (20060101); F16L 3/11 (20060101); F16L
3/10 (20060101); F16M 13/02 (20060101); F16B
23/00 (20060101); F16B 13/04 (20060101); F16L
3/223 (20060101); F16L 3/22 (20060101); F16B
37/14 (20060101); F16B 43/00 (20060101); F16B
13/06 (20060101); F16L 3/133 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;411/178,179 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McNichols; Eret C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Z IP Law PLLC
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/998,664 filed Jan. 29, 2016 entitled ANCHOR
SEALING HYGIENIC BRACKET which Applicant claims the benefit of
provisional application Ser. No. 62/176,041, filed Feb. 9, 2015.
Claims
I claim:
1. A hygienically sealable anchor bracket for a ceiling, wall,
floor, equipment frame or other paneled strata for block style pipe
and tube hangers, said hygienically sealable anchor bracket
comprising: a plurality of attachment fasteners for insertion
through and securing to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame,
or other paneled strata, said attachment fastener having an
internally threaded bore; an anchor bracket comprising: a pedestal
having a cavity; and a plurality of receptacles extending out from
the pedestal; a sealing washer; and wherein said anchor bracket is
configured to be positioned to surround said secured plurality of
attachment fasteners to form a seal to protect the irregular
surfaces of an exposed upper portion of the plurality of attachment
fasteners extending from said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment
frame, or other paneled strata from caustic cleaning solutions and
to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria; and a securing
fastener passing through one of said plurality of receptacles to
engage with one of said internally threaded bores on one of said
plurality of attachment fasteners, securing said block style pipe
and tube hangers for embracement with a diameter of a pipe or tube
to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled
strata; and wherein said upper portions extending through said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata are
formed as bolt heads and washers of various sizes; and the sealing
washer having widened openings to surround and seal said upper
portions of the plurality of attachment fasteners to said ceiling,
wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata.
2. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the sealing washer is oval in shape.
3. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the pedestal is oval in shape.
4. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the pedestal comprises a curved outer wall and base
portion.
5. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 wherein the pedestal comprises a recess; and a sealing
washer for insertion in the recess.
6. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 comprising a single attachment plate.
7. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 1 comprising using only two bolts to assemble and secure the
block style pipe and tube hanger and anchor bracket to said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata.
8. A hygienically sealable anchor bracket for a ceiling, wall,
floor, equipment frame or other paneled strata for block style pipe
and tube hangers, said hygienically sealable anchor bracket
comprising: a plurality of toggle bolt assemblies for insertion
through and securing to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame,
or other paneled strata, said toggle bolt having an internally
threaded bore formed in a bolt head; an anchor bracket comprising:
a pedestal having a cavity; and a plurality of receptacles
extending out from the pedestal; and wherein said anchor bracket is
configured to be positioned to surround said secured plurality of
toggle bolt assemblies to form a seal to protect the irregular
surfaces of said plurality of toggle bolt assemblies from caustic
cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria;
and a securing fastener passing through one of said plurality of
receptacles is configured to engage with one of said internally
threaded bores on said toggle bolt head, securing said block style
pipe and tube hangers for embracement with a diameter of a pipe or
tube to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other
paneled strata.
9. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 8 comprising a sealing washer.
10. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 9 wherein the sealing washer is oval in shape.
11. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 9 wherein the sealing washer having widened openings
configured to surround upper portions of the toggle bolt assemblies
that extend from said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or
other paneled strata, the upper portions formed in various
configurations and sizes.
12. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 8 wherein the pedestal is oval in shape.
13. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 8 wherein the pedestal comprising a curved outer wall and
base portion.
14. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket in accordance with
claim 8 wherein the pedestal comprising a recess; and a sealing
washer for insertion in the recess.
15. A method of hygienically sealing a plurality of attachment
fasteners extending from a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame or
other paneled strata to protect the irregular surfaces of said
plurality of attachment fasteners from caustic cleaning solutions
and prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria, comprising: extending
an upper portion of the attachment fastener having an internally
threaded bore through said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame,
or other paneled strata; securing said attachment fastener to said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata;
aligning an anchor bracket having a pedestal and plurality of
receptacles to surround and seal the upper portion of the
attachment fastener to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame,
or other paneled strata to protect the irregular surfaces of said
exposed upper portion from caustic cleaning solutions and to
prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria; inserting a securing
fastener through said receptacle of said anchor bracket and said
internally threaded bore of the attachment fastener; inserting a
sealing washer in a recess at a base portion of the pedestal;
surrounding and sealing said upper portion of the attachment
fastener with a widened opening of the sealing washer; and securing
said block style pipe and tube hangers for embracement with a
diameter of a pipe or tube to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment
frame, or other paneled strata.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to block or rounded style tube and
pipe hangers, herein referenced to as block style tube and pipe
hangers, and more particularly, to an offset anchor bracket which
allows for the block style tube and pipe hangers to be secured to a
wall, panel or equipment frame that may include square tubing for
support in either a vertical or horizontal orientation wherein the
wall, panel or equipment frame is fixed and there may not be access
to the reverse side thereof, the anchor bracket covers and seals
the fasteners which secure the anchor bracket to the substrate
wall, panel or equipment frame. Also, in areas where there is
access to the reverse side of the wall, panel or equipment frame,
nuts and bolts may be used in place of the anchor to mount the
bracket to the panel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pipe and tube supports are known for their use in supporting piping
and tubing systems in residential and commercial buildings, as well
as throughout numerous industrial manufacturing facilities, for
example, food, dairy, beverage, chemical, personal care,
bio-processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. Many
pipe hanging configurations have either an inner layer or an inner
block made from an elastomeric or rigid plastic materials to
provide some combination of dampening, shock absorption, and
insulation. With respect to industrial facilities, especially those
in which clean rooms, sanitary and sterile environments which are
critical to the manufacturing process, the known pipe supports must
be configured to have a smooth contact surface to prevent the
buildup of any other contaminants from collecting and impacting the
effect of the clean, sanitary, sterile environments. Still further,
in such clean rooms and the like, all exposed surfaces must be
smooth, which means that no irregular surfaces such as threaded
rods, fasteners, crevices, or the like can be exposed to the
environment of the clean room. It further means that all surfaces
of such supports and frames, must be flush with its underlying
strata or support to prevent any buildup of dirt or bacteria
between the frames and support structure.
The block style hangers for use in the hanging or vertical support
of tubing and piping may use plastic or silicone grommets which
define an interior diameter (I.D.) to directly support and
encompass the outer diameter (O.D.) of a pipe or tube. Silicone or
plastic grommets themselves are supported by a metal frame, which
is often welded to supporting structural steel or secured by a
threaded connection to a hanger in the form of a vertical rod
depending from a bracket or plate secured to the ceiling, or
extending upwardly from the floor, from a bracket or plate secured
to the floor strata. These block style hangers may be used
individually or due to their substantially square and rectangular
shape, they alternatively can easily and efficiently be stacked in
vertical relationship to provide an offset between multiple piping
and tubing arranged in parallel and set the center lines of the
respective tubing or piping. The grommets act as a dampening
cushion or insulator between the hardware and the supporting
utility. The grommet parts define the molded inner diameter which
fits around an outer diameter of the pipe, tube or conduit. The
size of the inner diameter of the grommet controls the amount of
force required to allow the tube, pipe or conduit to slide through
the grommets. A smaller inner diameter creates a tight fit or an
anchor, and a larger inner diameter creates a loose fit or guide
which allows the tube, pipe or conduit to slide along an axis. The
known grommets and inserts for such hangers are held together and
in place around the pipe or conduit solely by the use of mounting
hardware and framework or brackets which attach to grommets to one
another around the pipe or conduit. The grommets together with the
mounting hardware and framework are then secured by means of a
support rod to a support plate or support bracket which is secured
to the ceiling or ceiling beam, or to a floor bracket in which the
rod extends upwardly from the floor supporting the tubing or
piping. In many of the industries mentioned, wherein a clean,
sterile room is required, the piping structures are required and
are specified to be installed on a slope and centerline with a
general slope being from one eighth to one quarter inch drop per
foot. This specification requirement is to ensure that the tubing
or pipeline can self drain via gravity. A problem arises when
tubing or piping must be installed and supported from a ceiling or
wall which is covered by a panel and perhaps insulated panels, in a
clean, sanitary or sterile room which requires the use of
specialized fasteners for securing an anchor bracket to a support
panel. Fasteners may include toggle bolts, rivet-like structures,
or ordinary nuts and bolts. Also, suitable would be brand name
fasteners such as Jack Nut and Fab-Lok. These devices will be
referred to generally as toggle bolt-like fasteners in the balance
of this document. Since the toggle bolt-like structure presents an
uneven surface which can collect dirt or bacteria, and often are
fabricated from grades of metals which deteriorate in caustic
conditions, it is necessary to have an anchor bracket for the block
type tubing and piping hanger which can be secured to such toggle
bolt-like fastener, yet completely cover the fastener and protect
that portion of the toggle bolt-like fastener which extends into
the clean, sterile, or sanitary room so that the caustic solutions
used in routinely washing or cleaning such rooms will not degrade
the fastener, yet allows for support for the anchor bracket for
either directing supporting a block type tubing and piping hanger
from the frame of the block style tube and pipe hanger, or for
supporting a support rod extending outwardly and in communication
with a block style tube and pipe hanger for supporting the tubing
or piping.
The structural design of the anchor bracket also allows for several
methods for sealing the anchor bracket over the portion of the
toggle bolt-like fastener which extends into the clean, sterile or
sanitary room. This sealing can be accomplished either with an O
ring, or with a custom designed sealing pad with silicone caulk.
The seal is an important factor because the end user wants to be
assured that the inside of the cup does not turn into a depository
for bacteria, liquids, or the like.
Applicant has developed an offset anchor bracket which can protect
and encapsulate the toggle bolt-like fasteners utilized to secure
the anchor bracket to a panel to which access to the reverse side
may be denied, and allow the anchor bracket to be secured and
adjusted to provide for the correct slope and centerline of the
resultant tubing and piping, the anchor bracket having a pair of
receivers for direct receipt of the fasteners utilized with the
hardware of a block style tube and pipe hanger to secure the hanger
or multiple hangers in series directly to the anchor bracket and
the underlying panel strata. The anchor bracket is both secured to
the panel and protects the irregular surface of the toggle
bolt-like fasteners utilized to secure it to the panel, the anchor
bracket being fabricated from either stainless steel or from a
polymer or elastomeric material which is impervious to and does not
react to the caustic solutions utilized in cleaning a clean,
sterile or sanitary room.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention to provide for a novel assembly
which simplifies the total installation of a pipe hanger and allows
the installer to secure pipe hangers to panels which constitute a
ceiling, wall, floor, panel, or equipment frame to which there is
no access to the reverse side thereof.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a
novel support assembly in which the anchor bracket covers and
protects the support bolts extending through the ceiling, wall,
floor, panel, or equipment frame and encapsulates that portion of
the bolt exposed within the clean room to protect it from caustic
cleaning solutions or the like utilized to sanitize the clean
room.
A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
support assembly for the installation of block style tube and pipe
hangers in which the anchor bracket has a pair of receivers to
directly secure a block style tube and pipe hanger either singly or
in serial combination.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a
novel support assembly for a block style tube and pipe hanger in
which an anchor bracket is formed with a single receiver to accept
a support rod for supporting a block style tube and pipe hanger at
a distance from the panel.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a
novel installation assembly for block style pipe and tube hangers
to a ceiling, wall, floor, panel, or equipment frame to which
access to the reverse side is denied, allowing the installer to
adjust the elevation and centerline and slope of the tubing or
piping.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
support structure for block style tube and pipe hangers in which
the fasteners utilized in the frame hardware of the block style
tube and pipe hangers are used to directly secure the block style
tube and pipe hangers to the anchor bracket of the present
assembly, and hence the panel to which it is secured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
support structure for block style tube and pipe hangers in which
the fasteners utilized in the frame hardware of the block style
tube and pipe hangers are used to directly secure the block style
tube and pipe hangers to the ceiling, wall, floor, panel, or
equipment frame to which it is secured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
support structure for block style tube and pipe hangers in which
the fasteners utilized in the frame hardware of the block style
tube and pipe hangers are aligned directly with a threaded internal
bore of an anchor bolt or toggle bolt within the cavity of the
anchor bracket to secure the block style tube and pipe hangers to
the ceiling, wall, floor, panel, or equipment frame to which it is
secured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an anchor
bracket that encapsulates that portion of the bolt exposed within
the clean room to protect it from caustic cleaning solutions or the
like utilized to sanitize the clean room having a smaller footprint
by using only two bolts to secure the block style tube and pipe
hangers to the ceiling, wall, floor, panel, or equipment frame to
which it is secured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an anchor
bracket that provides for the pipe within the block style tube and
pipe hangers to be mounted closer to the ceiling, wall, floor,
panel, or equipment frame to which it is secured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An offset hygienic anchor sealing bracket for installation of
block, style tube and pipe hangers to a wall, paneled strata or
equipment frame in which there is no access to the reverse side,
there being a need to secure the anchor bracket to an anchor bolt
or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield the exposed toggle bolt
structure from the environment of the clean room, sterile room, or
sanitary room in order to protect the irregular surface of the
toggle bolt from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the
buildup of dirt and bacteria, the anchor bracket having bored
pedestals in communication with the cavity which encapsulates the
exposed portion of the toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket
thereto, the anchor bracket having a plurality of female threaded
receptacles for receipt of fasteners utilized in assembling block
style tube and pipe hangers, thus securing the block style tube and
pipe hanger to the wall, panel or equipment frame at a desired
slope and centerline.
The present invention is also related to a further embodiment of a
hygienic anchor bracket and sealing washer for installation of
block, style tube and pipe hangers to a ceiling, wall, floor,
paneled strata or equipment frame in which there may be no access
to the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor
bracket to an anchor bolt or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield
the exposed toggle bolt structure from the environment of the clean
room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to protect the
irregular surface of the toggle bolt from caustic cleaning
solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria. In this
further embodiment, the anchor bracket is a unitary piece having an
oval pedestal forming the cavity which encapsulates the exposed
portion of the toggle bolt. The oval pedestal has two receiver
receptacles for insertion of fasteners utilized in assembling block
style tube and pipe hangers. The fasteners once inserted are
threaded into an internal bore of an anchor bolt or toggle bolt
securing the block style tube and pipe hanger to the wall, panel or
equipment frame at a desired slope and centerline. As a unitary
piece the anchor bracket is easy to install and requires only two
bolts aligned with the anchor bolt or toggle bolt for attachment
thereby reducing materials and costs. By using only two bolts for
attachment, the anchor bracket has a smaller footprint and may be
of any required size and dimensions to provide for a pipe inserted
through the block style tube and pipe hanger to be closer to the
ceiling, wall, floor, panel or equipment frame thereby taking up
less space.
The present invention is also related to a hygienically sealable
anchor bracket for a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame or other
paneled strata for block style pipe and tube hangers, said
hygienically sealable anchor bracket comprising a plurality of
attachment fasteners for insertion through and securing to said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata,
said attachment fastener having an internally threaded bore; an
anchor bracket comprising a pedestal having a cavity; and a
plurality of receptacles extending out from the pedestal; and
wherein said anchor bracket is configured to be positioned to
surround said secured plurality of attachment fasteners to form a
seal to protect the irregular surfaces of an exposed upper portion
of the plurality of attachment fasteners extending from said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata from
caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt and
bacteria; and a securing fastener passing through one of said
plurality of receptacles to engage with one of said internally
threaded bores on one of said plurality of attachment fasteners,
securing said block style pipe and tube hangers for embracement
with a diameter of a pipe or tube to said ceiling, wall, floor,
equipment frame, or other paneled strata. The hygienically sealable
anchor bracket may comprise a sealing washer which may be oval in
shape. The upper portion of the attachment fastener may extend
through said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other
paneled strata are formed as bolt heads and washers of various
sizes; and embodiments of the sealing washer may have widened
openings to surround and seal said upper portions of the plurality
of attachment fasteners to said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment
frame, or other paneled strata. The pedestal of the hygienically
sealable anchor bracket may be oval in shape and may have a curved
outer wall and base portion. The pedestal may also comprise a
recess and a sealing washer for insertion in the recess. The
hygienically sealable anchor bracket may comprise a single
attachment plate. The hygienically sealable anchor bracket may also
comprise using only two bolts to assemble and secure the block
style pipe and tube hanger and anchor bracket to said ceiling,
wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata.
The present invention is also related to a hygienically sealable
anchor bracket for a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame or other
paneled strata for block style pipe and tube hangers, said
hygienically sealable anchor bracket comprising a plurality of
toggle bolt assemblies for insertion through and securing to said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata,
said toggle bolt having an internally threaded bore formed in a
bolt head; an anchor bracket comprising a pedestal having a cavity;
and a plurality of receptacles extending out from the pedestal; and
wherein said anchor bracket is configured to be positioned to
surround said secured plurality of toggle bolt assemblies to form a
seal to protect the irregular surfaces of said plurality of toggle
bolt assemblies from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the
buildup of dirt and bacteria; and a securing fastener passing
through one of said plurality of receptacles is configured to
engage with one of said internally threaded bores on said toggle
bolt head, securing said block style pipe and tube hangers for
embracement with a diameter of a pipe or tube to said ceiling,
wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata. The
hygienically sealable anchor bracket may comprise a sealing washer
that may be oval in shape. The sealing washer may have widened
openings configured to surround upper portions of the toggle bolt
assemblies that extend from said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment
frame, or other paneled strata, the upper portions formed in
various configurations and sizes. The pedestal of the hygienically
sealable anchor bracket may be oval in shape and may have a curved
outer wall and base portion. The pedestal may also comprise a
recess and a sealing washer for insertion in the recess.
The present invention is further related to a method of
hygienically sealing a plurality of attachment fasteners extending
from a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame or other paneled
strata to protect the irregular surfaces of said plurality of
attachment fasteners from caustic cleaning solutions and prevent
the buildup of dirt and bacteria, comprising extending an upper
portion of the attachment fastener having an internally threaded
bore through said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other
paneled strata; securing said attachment fastener to said ceiling,
wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata; aligning an
anchor bracket having a pedestal and plurality of receptacles to
surround and seal the upper portion of the attachment fastener to
said ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata
to protect the irregular surfaces of said exposed upper portion
from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup of dirt
and bacteria; inserting a securing fastener through said receptacle
of said anchor bracket and said internally threaded bore of the
attachment fastener; securing said block style pipe and tube
hangers for embracement with a diameter of a pipe or tube to said
ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame, or other paneled strata. The
method of hygienically sealing a plurality of attachment fasteners
extending from a ceiling, wall, floor, equipment frame or other
paneled strata to protect the irregular surfaces of said plurality
of attachment fasteners from caustic cleaning solutions and prevent
the buildup of dirt and bacteria in accordance may comprise
inserting a sealing washer in a recess of a base portion of the
pedestal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following
illustrations wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric assembly view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger of the prior art illustrating a grommet
lock and framework;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toggle bolt assembly suitable for
use with Applicant's anchor bracket;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the toggle bolt of FIG. 2 inserted through
a panel;
FIG. 3A is a side view of the toggle bolt of FIGS. 2 and 3 in
closed or secure orientation;
FIG. 4 is a perspective isometric view of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention used to secure a block style tube and pipe
hanger to a panel;
FIG. 5 is a perspective isometric bottom view of the anchor bracket
of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a block style tube and pipe hanger in
conjunction with Applicant's anchor bracket;
FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric assembly view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger and a further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention used to secure the block style
tube and pipe hanger to a panel;
FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric assembly bottom view of a typical
block style tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the
anchor bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric assembly view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 10A is an exploded front elevation view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 10B is an exploded side elevation view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 11A is a front elevation view of a typical block style tube
and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention;
FIG. 11B is a top view of a typical block style tube and pipe
hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention;
FIG. 11C is a side elevation view of a typical block style tube and
pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention;
FIG. 11D is a bottom view of a typical block style tube and pipe
hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention;
FIG. 12A is a side elevation internal view of a typical block style
tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 12B is a front elevation internal view of a typical block
style tube and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket of Applicant's invention;
FIG. 12C is a bottom internal view of a typical block style tube
and pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention; and
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a typical block style tube and
pipe hanger and the further embodiment of the anchor bracket of
Applicant's invention affixed to a panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a block style pipe and tube grommet block 1 as
used in the prior art. The grommet block 1 consists of two attached
and substantially identical upper and lower grommets 3 defining a
pipe passage zero having an inner diameter (I.D.) through which a
pipe, tube, or conduit P having an outer diameter can pass. The two
grommets 3 are attachable and also separable along a grommet
separation plane A. The O.D. of the pipe can be accommodated by a
range of I.D.'s of the grommet block depending on how secure the
pipe is to be supported and held by the support. The tighter the
tolerance of the pipe, and the grommet block I.D., the more
securely the pipe is held. It is to be appreciated that with a
larger tolerance the pipe is more inclined or permitted to move or
slide axially generally along a pipe axis P' in the pipe passage O.
The grommets 3a and 3b can be modified to allow for different pipe
sizes, tolerances, etc., so that the pipe, tube or conduit P is
either securely held in the pipe passage area O or in the case of a
loose fit, the conduit is guided essentially linearly along the
pipe axis P' through the pipe passage O.
The grommets 3 have bolt holes 17 that extend through the grommets
3a and 3b in a substantially perpendicular alignment to the pipe
axis P' extending through the passage O. To this end, each grommet
3 is comprised of a pair of oppositely disposed legs 5 through
which a bolt hole 17 is formed, a substantially flat top surface 7
against which a portion of the frame work is generally secured, a
curved inner surface 9 defining the I.D. of the passage O and each
leg 5 having a substantially planar end surface for mating to and
engaging with a corresponding planar end surface of an opposing
grommet. The top surface 7 of each grommet 3 may be provided with a
detent or slot 18 for receiving a corresponding protrusion or key
19 formed in an attachment plate 25 and 27, or even another
grommet. Such a detent or slot 18 and protrusion or key 19 would
facilitate maintaining alignment of the bolt holes 17 of the
grommet with the holes 26 in the attachment plate 25 as set forth
in further detail. The union of detent 18 and the protrusion 19
would also form a compression fit or some other means of attachment
to enable connecting of the attachment plates 25 and 27 to the
grommets 3 until a bolt 21 can be inserted through the attachment
plate hole 26 and the bolt hole 17 of the grommet to be secured by
a threaded receiver 28 of the corresponding attachment plate. In
FIG. 1, bolts 21 are shown being inserted from the lower attachment
plate 25. The attachment plates 25, 27 form a framework that
consists of a pair of bolts 21 which extends through the attachment
plate holes 26 and bolt holes 17 of the grommets 3 and connect and
secure the attachment plates 25, 27 and grommets 3 together, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. During assembly, after passing through the
holes 26 in the bottom attachment plate 25 and bolt holes 17 in the
grommets 3a and 3b and coming out the other end, the bolts 21
connect to either the secured threaded receiver 28 in conjunction
with the top attachment plate 27, or a nut supported on or in
conjunction with the top plate 27 to complete assembly of the
framework. The attachment plate 27 includes a hanger attachment
receiver 30 which may connect to a hanger rod by threaded fasteners
or by welding and thence to an attachment plate as part of
suspension assembly which supports the pipes support and pipe to a
floor or ceiling. The top and bottom attachment plates 25, 27 are
pulled essentially flush against the grommets top surfaces 7 when
the bolts 21 are tightened into the receiver 28 or a separate nut.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toggle bolt assembly 40 suitable
for use with Applicant's support plate, FIG. 3 is a side view of
the toggle bolt 40 of FIG. 2 inserted through a panel, and FIG. 3A
is a side view of the same toggle bolt of FIGS. 2 and 3 in a closed
or locked position. In FIG. 2, toggle bolt installation illustrated
in its configuration for the toggle bolt consists of a hex washer
head machine screw 42 having an externally threaded shaft 44, and a
hex head 46. Positioned adjacent the hex head 46 is a sealing
washer 48. Positioned on the shaft 44 is a slotted aluminum sleeve
50, having a plurality of longitudinal slots 52 about its
periphery. The toggle bolt 40 as illustrated in FIG. 2 would be
inserted through an aperture 49 in the panel 51 or ceiling, wall,
floor, or equipment frame, the aperture 49 being substantially
identical to the circumference of the slotted aluminum sleeve 50.
Once inserted through such aperture 49 through the panel 51, the
sealing washer 48 would be juxtaposed the outer surface of the
panel 51. The installer would then manipulate the hex washer head
machine screw 42 by rotating said screw via the hex head 46, and in
turn rotating the shaft 44 which would cause the slotted aluminum
sleeve 50 to collapse towards the hex head 46 and the sealing
washer 48 until it achieved the configuration as illustrated in
FIG. 3A, wherein the slotted aluminum sleeve has now been
transformed into a T-shape with two extended arms 54 and 56 having
been formed by the collapsing of the slotted aluminum sleeve 50,
aided by the peripheral longitudinal slots 52 formed therein. In
this configuration, the only visible portion of the toggle bolt
assembly 40 would be the hex head 46 and the sealing washer 48. The
remainder of the assembly would be on the opposing side of the
panel 51 and not viewable or accessible. The hex head 46 of the
toggle bolt assembly 40 has an internal bore 58, internally
threaded for receipt of the male end of a separate fastener. FIG. 4
is a perspective isometric view of an anchor bracket 60 of
Applicant's invention used to secure a block style tube and pipe
hanger to a panel, and FIG. 5 is a perspective isometric view of
the bottom of anchor bracket 60 of FIG. 4. Anchor bracket 60 is
comprised of two pedestals 62 and 64, the lower portions 66 of
pedestals 62 and 64 are hollow and as best illustrated in FIG. 5,
which a perspective bottom view of the anchor bracket 60, which
consists of concentric walls 68 and 70 surrounding a cavity 72, the
concentric walls providing additional support to the base of the
pedestals. The cavity 72 in cooperation with the concentric walls
68 and 70 also provides a structure which allows for the use of an
O-ring seal or a sealing pad 79 to ensure that the cavity 72 covers
the toggle bolt-like fastener and also prevents the cavity 72 from
becoming a depository for bacteria growth or the like. The
pedestals 62 and 64 narrow from the base upwardly comprising a
generally cylindrical portion 74 through which there is a bore 76
extending downwardly and in communication with the cavity 72 of the
base portions. The pedestals 62 and 64 are secured by a generally
planar cross member 77, "through which bores 76 extend. Formed on
planar cross member 77 are two receiver receptacles 82 and 84 each
having a bore 86 and 88 formed therein, the bore being internally
threaded. Anchor bracket 60 may be of one-piece construction, but
it would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that
it may be formed of separate elements which are heat welded to form
the anchor bracket 60. In installation of a block style tube and
pipe hanger as illustrated in FIG. 6 which is an exploded view,
toggle bolts of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 would be
inserted through a panel after determining the correct distance
between the two toggle bolts and any slope, alignment, or
centerline requirement for the installation of the tubing or pipe.
Once the toggle bolts were in secure position (FIG. 3A) with the
panel, anchor bracket 60 would be positioned over the hex head 46
and sealing washer 48 of the toggle bolt. The hex head 46 and
sealing bolt 48 would be receivable within the cavity 72 formed in
the lower portion of each of the pedestals. Threaded fasteners 75
would then be inserted through the bores 76 in the cross-member 77,
through the bores 76 in the cylindrical portion 74 of the pedestals
and threadedly secured to the internally threaded bores 58 formed
in the hex head 46 of the toggle bolt. In this fashion, the support
plate 60 is now secured to the panel in the desired location and
appropriate angle and the hex head 46 and sealing washer 48 are
covered.
At this point of the installation, a tube or pipe would be
positioned proximate the anchor bracket 60 having a block style
tube and pipe hanger positioned thereabout. The bolts 21 utilized
with the hardware to secure the grommets of the block style tube
and pipe hanger together would be inserted through the respective
attachment plates 25 and 27, and extend beyond the opposing
attachment plate such that the bolts 21 could be secured into the
female upstanding receiving receptacles 82 and 84 formed on cross
member 77. In this manner, a block style tube and pipe hanger may
be affixed to the anchor bracket 60 and thus to a panel to which
there is no access to the reverse side. The lower portion 66 of
pedestals 62 and 64 can be formed with a washer or sealing means 79
between the concentric support walls to effectuate a seal between
the pedestals and the panel and completely encapsulate and protect
the hex head and sealing washer of the toggle bolt. This is of
particular importance when installed in a clean, sanitary, or
sterile room.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the block style tube and pipe hanger
1 described and illustrated in FIG. 1 in conjunction with the
anchor bracket 60 of FIG. 4.
In a further embodiment, an anchor bracket 90 having an extended
oval shaped pedestal 92 is shown in FIG. 7. The oval pedestal 92
has two receiver receptacles 94 and 96 each forming a through bore
116. The oval pedestal 92 may also have a protrusion or key 98
along its upper surface 100 to mate with a detent or slot 18 of the
block style tube and pipe hanger 1. The upper surface 100 extends
to an upper wall 102 that has a curvature to provide additional
support to the base of the receptacles 94 and 96. The curved upper
wall 102 straightens along a base portion 104 of the pedestal 92.
As shown in FIG. 8 in a bottom view, the straight wall 106 of the
base portion 104 has a recessed rim 108 to seat and seal against an
oval shaped sealing washer 110. The sealing washer 110 is formed
with an edge 112 and a bridge portion 114 that extends across the
central portion of the sealing washer 110 to form two widened
openings aligned below the bores 116 of the receptacles 94 and
96.
The receptacles 94 and 96 are dimensioned for insertion into the
bolt holes 17 of the block style tube and pipe hanger 1 with the
protrusion or key 98 of the pedestal 92 configured to be inserted
into the detent or slot 18. An important feature of the present
embodiment is requiring only one attachment plate 25. Different
than the former embodiment, the extended upper surface 100 connects
the two receptacles 94 and 96 and with the curved upper wall 102
and base portion 104 that form the pedestal 92, the anchor bracket
90 is formed as a single unitary member removing the requirement
for a second attachment plate and a planar cross member 77 that in
the former embodiment connected the two separate pedestals 62 and
64 of the anchor bracket 60. As a single unit the installation of
the anchor bracket 90 is much easier with fewer parts to hold and
maneuver. As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing washer 110 may be seated
within the recessed rim 108 and the two receptacles 94 and 96 align
with the bolt holes 17 of the block style tube and pipe hanger 1.
The protrusion or key 98 of the pedestal 92 aligns within the
detent or slot 18 of the block style tube and pipe hanger 1 and the
protrusion or key of the attachment plate 25 aligns with the upper
detent or slot 18 of the block style tube and pipe hanger 1. As
shown in FIG. 9, to assemble the block style tube and pipe hanger 1
and anchor bracket 90, the bolts 21 are inserted through the
attachment plate 25, the pipe hanger 1, the receptacles 94 and 96
of the anchor bracket 90, and the sealing washer 110.
A front elevation view of the alignment of the attachment plate 25,
the block style tube and pipe hanger 1, the anchor bracket 90 and
the sealing washer 110 is shown in FIG. 10A and a side elevation
view is shown in FIG. 10B. An assembled side elevation view of the
bolts 21 inserted through the attachment plate 25, the block style
tube and pipe hanger 1, the anchor bracket 90 and the sealing
washer 110 is shown in FIG. 11A. In some embodiments, a threaded
receiver or other fastener may be attached to the bolts 21 to
secure the anchor bracket 90 to the block style tube and pipe
hanger 1. As shown in a top view of the assembly in FIG. 11B and in
a side elevation view in FIG. 11C, the pedestal 92 of the anchor
bracket 90 extends out beyond the length and width of the block
style tube and pipe hanger 1 to provide adequate support. A bottom
view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 11D shows the widened opening
through the sealing washer 110 to adequately surround and seal a
variety of attachment fasteners that may have upper portions that
extend from a panel 51 of various sizes.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the width W1 of the anchor bracket 90 may be
wider than the width W2 of the block style tube and pipe hanger 1
to provide greater structural support particularly if the pipe
hanger 1 is larger and longer extending further out from the anchor
bracket 90 and panel 51. As shown in FIG. 12B, the outer diameter
OD of the passage O is of a desired dimension with the length L of
the block style tube and pipe hanger 1 extending a sufficient
amount beyond the outer diameter OD of the passage O to accommodate
the width of the bolts 21. The bolt holes 17 are properly
dimensioned to allow the bolts 21 to freely be inserted through the
block style tube and pipe hanger 1. The bolts 21 are selected to
extend beyond the height H of the block style tube and pipe hanger
1 and the height PH of the anchor bracket 90 with a sufficient
distance of roughly 1'' to 3'' beyond the base portion 104 of the
pedestal 92 to sufficiently secure the block style tube and pipe
hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90 to a panel 51 using a fastener. The
pedestal height PH and the pedestal length PL as noted above are of
a dimension to adequately surround and seal the attachment fastener
that secures the pipe hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90 to a panel 51.
As shown in a bottom view in FIG. 12C, the widened openings in the
sealing washer 110 are wide enough for the upper portion of many
varieties of fasteners to fit through the opening and be sealed
within the pedestal 92 of the anchor bracket 90. Embodiments of the
anchor bracket 90 may therefore be of any material to meet the
requirements of a specific environment and of any size and
dimension to accommodate the dimensions of the block style tube and
pipe hanger 1 and the upper portion of a fastener that extends from
a panel 51.
As shown in FIG. 13, the toggle bolt 40 extends through the panel
51 with the internal bore 58 of upper portion formed as a threaded
receiver for the bolt 21 to attached to the toggle bolt 40 to
secure the block style tube and pipe hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90
to the panel 51. The sealing washer 110 may extend a short distance
beyond the base portion 104 of the anchor bracket 90 to the
surround the hex head 46 and sealing washer 48 of the toggle bolt
40 within the cavity of the pedestal 92 and seal the anchor bracket
90 to the panel 51 to protect the irregular surfaces of the toggle
bolt 40 from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the buildup
of dirt and bacteria. By using only two bolts to secure the block
style tube and pipe hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90 to the panel 51,
the overall footprint of the further embodiment of the anchor
bracket 90 is smaller and the pedestal height PH may extend a
shorter distance from the panel 51 to position a pipe within the
pipe hanger 1 closer to the panel and thereby have the pipe take up
less space within the clean room, sterile room, or other sanitary
room. Using only two bolts also reduces the materials and costs and
with less parts, makes the installation of the block style tube and
pipe hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90 easier. Therefore, the further
embodiment of the anchor bracket 90 uniquely provides for various
varieties of fasteners or other attachment fixtures to secure the
block style tube and pipe hanger 1 and anchor bracket 90 to the
panel 51, has a smaller footprint, allows the pipe to be closer to
the panel taking up less space within a room, is less costly and is
easier to install.
While the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of
ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention
be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
* * * * *